Contributed by NPS, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site
Description
This chair, also called "The Children's Chair," was designed by Longfellow's nephew, William Pitt Preble Longfellow and made from the wood of "The Spreading Chestnut Tree" referred to by Longfellow in his poem "The Village Blacksmith." When Brattle Street was widened the tree that stood in front of the home and shop of Dexter Pratt, the local smith, was cut down. The children of Cambridge paid to have this chair made from its wood, and presented it to Longfellow on his 72nd birthday along with a special book containing each of their names. As an expression of gratitude, Longfellow composed the poem "From My Armchair."
About This Item
- Title: The Chestnut Chair, ca. 1876
- Creator: H. Edgar Hartwell
- Creation Date: circa 1876
- Subject Date: circa 1876
- Location: Cambridge, Middlesex County, MA
- Media: Wood
- Dimensions: 604 cm x 692 cm x 589 cm
- Local Code: LONG 4469
- Object Type: Physical Object
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Trees
- Chestnut trees--Massachusetts--Cambridge
- Chairs
- Furnishings
- Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth, 1807-1886--Associated objects
- Furniture
- Poets
- Authors
- Gifts
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
NPS, Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site105 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 876-4491
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.
